Electric switch



Dec. 4, 1928.

J. J. GOUGH ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed June 27, 1927' miides back and forth Patented D... 4; 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENTTOFF'ICE.

JAMES 'J'. GOUGH, or cmcaoqimrnors, ASSIGNOR T0 cnrcaeo ELECTRIC MANUFAC- TUBING (20., OFOHICAGO, ILLINOIS,

A. CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

nnncrmc swrrcrr.

Application filed June 27, 1927. Serial No. 201,715.

My invention relates to electric switches of the class employing an oscillating switching member, and more particularly to the type of such switches in which the switching member parallel to the front or face-plate of the switc Generally. speaking, it is the object of my invention to provide an unusually simple, in expensive and easily assembled switch of this general type. More particularl my invention provides a reciprocating switch in which a simple punchin co-operates with a back plate to form an ef fective switch casing and to guide the reciprocating member of the switch, in which the switching member contacts directly with the wire terminals, and in which the switching member is positively halted when moved in either direction It also provides a switch of this type in which the switching memberis formed so as to impart a snap or quick-throw movement to the reciprocating member, and in which'the resiliency of the switching member operates for latching the reciprocating member both in its on and in its off position. i

Furthermore, my invention provides a switch consisting of very few parts and so constructed as to require no auxiliary fastening members for retaining these parts in their assembled relation. It also provides a reciprocating member including a carrier and one or more switching membersslid'ably insertible in the carrier and retained on the carmembers. Moreover, my invention providesa carrier having stop shoulders disposed for engaging one or the other of the two contact terminals to limit the movement of the carrier" in each direction, and arranged so that the engagement of the terminals with a switching member will hold one or the other of the said terminals shoulders.

In another object, my invention provides a reciprocating-member including two switching members mounted on a single carrier and respectively engaging opposite sides of the terminals, and provides switching members formed so that theirsaid simultaneous engagement will intensify the pressure of the said members against the terminals. My invention also provides a carrier slidable over 7 Still further and also more detailed o yieldingly against one of the said the twoterminals and having an integral formation disposed for engaging either terminal to limit the movement of the carrierin either direction, and provides novel means for. securely interlocking either one or two switching members with'the carrier without 0 requiring auxiliary fastening elements of any kind. Moreover, my invention provides a switch construction in which the terminals guide the reciprocating member independently of other parts, alinement regardless of variations in the manufacture or assembly of theswitch parts. will appean'from the following specification and from the accompanying drawings, in

. whichthereby insuring a proper.

jects Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a switchem;

bodyin m invention membei in the off tion of the switch.

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the same. 3 is a side elevation of the same.

with the reciprocating or circuitopening posi- Fig. 4 is a central and longitudinal se'ction, taken along the line 4-4- of Fig. 1 with one of the wire terminals in section.

Fig. 5 is a rear elevation of the switch with the ase detached and with the reciprocating member in the ofi position.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5, but with the reciprocating member in the on or circuit-closing position.

Fig.' 7 is a rear elevation of the carrier'or insulating portion of the reciprocating member of the switch of Figs. 1 to 6. Y

Fig. 8 is a View similar to a portion of Fig.- 5, showing the use of a single switching member in an allied embodiment.

Fig. 9 is a view allied to a portion of Fig. 5, but showing an embodiment in which a single switching member has a portion disposed or limiting the travel of the reciprocating member.

Fig. 10 is a frontelevation of the detached base and the contact terminals mounted on it.

Fig. '11 is a reduced perspective ,view of the main metal frame members of the switch.

In the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 7 inclusive, my switch includes a rigid two-piece frame in which the reciprocating member is slidably mounted, which frame-like structure sufiices in place of more complete casing when the major portion of the switch'is disposed within a recess in a wall to which his faceplate is fastened. This frame includes as one member a face-plate 1 having the usual screwholes 2 and also provided witha central and rectangularslot 3; and a pair of side Webs 4 extending rearwardly from the face-plate longitudinally parallel to and at opposite sides of the said slot, each web having a finger 5 in extension of its rear end. The companion member of the frame is an insulating disk 6 which forms the base of the switch, this base being provided with perforations throngh which the fingers 5 respectively extend, each finger having its rear end bent against the rear of the base 6 to clamp this base against thefree ends of the side webs 4. I

Mounted on the base 6 are two spaced metal terminals 8 and 9 having parallel stems extending at right angles to the base 6 toward the face-plate 1, each terminal being clinched to the base as shown in Fig. 4. Each terminal has a longitudinal bore, threaded to fit the shank of a binding screw 10 which has its head disposed behind the switch and adapted to clamp an interposed wire against the rear end of the corresponding terminal.

Extending between the side webs 4 is a carrier 13 of insulating material of a thickness approximating the width of the webs 4, so that this carrier is slidably interposed between the face-plate and the base of the switch. The carrier also has an integral button 11 projecting forwardly through the slot 3 in the face-plate, which button may be uided laterally by edges of this slot. The forward end'of the button 11 is preferably knurled to facilitate the digital sliding of the reciprocating member of my switch, and the front of the main portion of the carrier desirably has an indicating mark (such as the White dot 12 of Fig. 1) so disposed beyond one end of the button that this mark will only be visible when the switching mechanism is in its oil position. i

The carrier .13 desirably is substantially channel-shaped in transverse section, with the channel opening rearwardly and freely straddling the stems "of the terminals 8 and 9. Extending longitudinally within the channel are two switching members, formed of fiat spring bronze or the like, eachof which is secured intermediate its ends to the carrier so 1 as to present two contact arms respectively disposed for contacting with the twoterminals. Each arm of either switching member desirably has a hump directed toward the other switching member'and adapted to ride over the adjacent terminal when the carrier is moved from the on to thefofi position, or vice versa. The carrier also has means, de-

sirably in the form of an integral bridge 15 extending across the c annel, for engaging either terminal, according to the direction in which the carrier is 1noved, so as to limit the travel of the carrier; and in each of its thus limited positions the bridge-engaging terminal is yieldingly held against the bridge by the hump formations on the two spring contact arms engaging that terminal.

Thus, in the OE position of the switch (Fig. 5), the humps on the spring arms 1'5 A and 16 A press the terminal 8 against the shoulder formed by the left-hand face of the bridge 17, while the other spring arms 15 B and 16 B are out of contact with the other terminal 9. In the on position (Fig. 6), the humps on the arms 15 B and 16 .13 press the other terminal 9 against the right-hand shoulder face of the bridge, and the humps on the contact arms 15 A and 16 A engage the terminal 8 so as to augment this pressing.

Consequently, the reciprocating member of the switch is latched against accidental movement both in its on and its oii position. Since the humps of at least one pair of contact arms ride over an interposed terminal when the switch is moved from one of its said positions to the other, I also secure a snap or quick-throw action.

To secure the switching members to the carrier without requiring auxiliary fastening elements, I desirably provide two slits 18 extending through the bridge adjacent to the channel walls, and enlarge each of these slits intermediate its ends, as for example by providing bores 19 respectively intersecting the twoslits. Then I form a hum 20 on each switching member between alineparts which substantially extend through theslit portions at opposite sides of the adjacent bore 19. \Vith the carrier thus formed, as shown in Fig. 7 these alined parts of a switching member (such as the parts 15 C and 15 D of Figs. 5 and 8) can be slid into the said slit parts, While the intermediate hum 2O enters the bore '19 and engages the wa ls of this bore so as to prevent the switching member from sliding longitudinally of the carrier. By making each switching member of a thickness approaching'the width of the slits 18, I can readily anchor this member to the carrier without requiring a rivet or other fastening means. However, no accurate interfit-t-ing is required, as the back of the channel and the base 6 of the switch will cooperate with the said hump and bore formations for retaining the switching members on the car rier in substantially fixed positions.

When the reciprocating member (consisting of the carrier 13 with its integral button 11 and the two inserted switching members 15 and 16) is slipped over the terminals on the insulating base, the engagement of the opposed contact arms with opposite sides of the terminals alines the axis of the carrier substantially with a plane axial of both terminals, so that no accurate interfitting of the button 11 with the slot 3 in the face-plate is required. Consequently, I can allow some lateral play for this button, and trifling variations in the manufacture or assembly of the switch parts will not interfere with its operation.

Since the contacts directed toward one end of the carrier are intermittently in and out of contact with the adjacent terminal, these arms are shorter than the other arms which continuously engage the terminal interposed between them. To avoid having the switching members slid into the carrier slits in a. reversed position, I desirably contract the channel at the end which is to be opposite the a short arms, as by providing lugs 21. With this provision, the entire assembly of my switch is exceedingly simple and can readily be performed without confusion even by inexperienced hands.

However, wh'le I have heretofore described my invention in an embodiment including two switching members (which will intensify the pressure on the terminals in the on position of the switch), and as includ ing a stop bridge on the carrier, I do not wish to be limited to these or other details of the construction and arrangement thus disclosed. Obviously, many changes might be made without departing either from the spirit of my invention or fromthe appended claims.

For example, a single switching member of the previously described form might be employed, as shown in Fig. 8. Or, a single switching member of substantially Z-shape might be used with a channel-shaped carrier after the manner 0t Fig. 9, with the interme diate shank extending across the channel so .as engage one or the other terminal for halting the movement of the reciprocating switch member in both directions.

Moreover, I do not wish to be limited to the use of my switchin mechanism in combination with a slotted ace-plate or with any particular connection between the switch parts which guide the reciprocating member.

I claim as m invention;

1. An electric switch comprising a base, a pair of spaced and relatively insulated terminals mounted thereon, a stop member disposed between the terminals and slidable with respect to the base into engagement with one or'the other terminal, a pair of switching members fast on the stop member and extending respectively at opposite sides of both termmals; the switchin members being disposed to contact contlnuously with one terminal and to contact with the other terminal only when the latter is engaged by the stop member.

2. In an electric switch, a pair of spaced metal terminals, a channel-shaped insulator straddlin both terminals, a resilient contact member isposed within the channel of the insulator secured intermediate its ends to the insulator and having arms respectively engaging the two terminals when the insulator is in one position, and amounting for the terminals and insulator in which the insulator is slidable to another position in which only one arm of the contact member engages aterminal. y

3. An electric switch as per claim 2, in

which the other arm of the contact member ing a pair of parallel plates, the front plate having a slot therein; two relatively insulated wire terminals mounted on the rear plate and extending into the space between the plates; a reciprocable memberslidably disposed between the two plates and having an actuating button projecting through but shorter than the slot; and a resilient contact member carriedfby the said member and adapted to contact with one or both of the terminals according as the button is adjacent to one or the other end of the slot, the said member having an integral :stop portion disposed between the wire terminals and shorter than the distance between the terminals and adapted to engage either terminal 'to limit the movement of the said member in opposite directions.

5. In a reciprocating switch, a pair of spaced terminals having parallel axes, a carrier mounted for slidable movement trans verse of the said axes and substantially in the common plane of the said axes, a pair of contact members carried by the carrier and respectively at opposite sides of the said plane, and means for limiting the movement of the carrier in both directions; the contact members being arranged so that both thereof continuously engage one contact member, and so that both thereof are brought into and out of engagement with the other contact member when'the carrier is moved respectively to its said limited extent in opposite directions.

' 6. A switch as per claim 5, in which the .said limiting-means comprise shoulders on the carrier between the two terminals and terminals accordingto the direction in which the carrier is moved.

4. In an electric switch, a housing includ-- 7. A switch as per claim 5, in which the said limiting means comprise shoulders on the carrier disposed for respectively engaging the two'terminals according to the direcsulating back plate; a pair of wire terminals having stems projecting from the back plate toward the front plate; a reciprocable member including a button projecting through tion in which the carrier is 'moved, the con- Y in all positions of the reci roca'ble member,

the other resilient portion eing in and out of contact with the other stem when the reciprocable member is'respectivel'y at opp?)- site ends of its travel.

9. .An electric switch as per claim 8, in which the first named resilient portion of the contact member has a hmnp which rides over the stem engaged by that portion durin the .movement of the recipro'c-able member rom the on to the oil position of the switch.

10. An electric switch as per claim 8, in which the contact member comprises a fiat strip of resilient member having a medial portion secured to one web of the reciprocable member, and having two resilient arms extending in opposite directions from the said medial portion and forming the said resilient portions. 1 r

11. An electric switch as per claim 8, in which the contact member comprises a flat strip of resilient member havin a medial portion secured to the reciprocab e member,.

and having tworesilient arms extending in opposite directions from the said medial portion and forming the said resilient portions; the slidable member having a slit in which the said medial portion of the contact member is inserted, the said slot and medial portion having interengaging formations to prevent v the contact member from movinglongitudinally of the said slit. I

12. In an electric switch, a housing including a pair of parallel plates, the front plate having a slot therein; two relatively insulated wire terminals mounted on the rear Jpla'te and extending into the space between the plates; a carrier slidably disposed between the two plates and having an actuating button projecting through but shorter than the slot; and a pair-of resilient contact members mounted on the carrier and spaced transversely of the slot and extending at right angles to both plates; both of the contact members being of such a length as to engage one terminal continuously, and to engage the other terminal only when the button is substantially at one end of the slot, the two con-.

. engage either post, the slidable member also including two metallic and resilient switching members respectively at opposite sides of both; posts, the sw1tching members being formed for engaging both posts when the said stop portioniengages one of the posts and for engaging only one post when the stop portion engages the other post.

14. A'switch as per claim 13, in which the sliding member has slits in its stop portion through which the two switching members respectively extend.

.15. A switch as per claim 13, in which the sliding member has slits in its stop portion through which the two switchin respectively extend, and in whic the said stop. portion and each switching member'have interengaging formations to prevent longitudinal sliding of the switching member from sliding upon the stop portion.

16. A switch as per claim 13, in which the two switching members slope toward each other from their medial portions to a normal distance less than the diameter of each post, the said sloping causing the switching members in the extreme position of the sliding member to press the said stop portion respectively against one or the other post.

17. An electric switchcomprising an insulating base, a pair of spaced terminal orts extending forwardly from the base, a ront plate parallel to the base, an insulator slidable between the latter and the front plate and including a stop portion extending between the posts transversely of a plane through the axes of both posts, and a pair of metal ic and resilient. switching members mounted on the insulator and both bowed towards both posts and extending past opposite sides of the stop portion; the switching members being formed so as to engage opposite sides of both posts when the insulator is slid so that the stop portion engages one post, and the switching members being so formed as to engage only the last named post when the other post engages the stop portion.

Signed at Chicago, Illinois, June 21st 1924'.

JAMES J GOUGH.

members 

